Finally, I used to be one of the people that I’m writing about. I’m not trying to bring anybody down or point any fingers. I just wrote what I assumed went on at every other store. And when I assume, I make an ass of u and me. I’m sorry for that, plus I don’t think you needed the help anyway.

It’s been refreshing to read from everyone else that there are retailers out there where the stores’ general managers don’t tell push their employees to sell extended service plans even if it means lying to customers. The three places I worked each had managers that did just that. Apparently that’s an anomaly, which is a very good sign.

Thanks for the Britney Spears joke. I really enjoyed it. I haven’t heard a joke about her before. Thanks again.

Granted, some of these salespeople are just thinking about their commission – but it’s still up to the customer to the read the service agreement. If customers think that they’re getting an education on computers at a retail store they’re wrong. That’s like me assuming a car dealer is going to tell me EVERYTHING about a car. Who are we kidding? He’s there to make money and that’s expected. If they guy spent all day explaining computer service plans to a 50 year who can’t even figure out where the power switch is – he will starve.

If the sales guy seems pushy about a service plan it’s because 1) he has to make a living but more importantly 2) he knows that YOU don’t understand how manufacturer warranties work and you will come back kicking and screaming like a baby when you realize that the problem on your laptop is not covered. That sales guy is DOING YOU A FAVOR by letting you what’s going to happen if something goes wrong on your computer and you need to pay for it yourself. So why would a so-called ‘journalist’ like yourself write such negative things about people who are just trying to provide a GOOD, HONEST service to consumers?

Hey Doug, you’re a journalist like Britney Spears is a housewife. And by the way – DIE!

Joseph, come on man.

The majority of retail salespeople just want to make an honest buck, and can do so by serving the customer properly. Explain the benefits about a service or product, and let the customer make an informed decision. That is what I do. I actually work for Circuit City, and am proud of my team. Do we have goals? Sure. What company does not? Do we get any monetary compensation for selling more services or protection plans? Nope. Not one dime. Just the meager paycheck that we get for our services rendered. It is a thankless job, but somebody has to do this.

The reason why services and plans exist is two fold. One, the majority of tech customers know next to nothing about what they are buying. And 2, it is just about the only thing that makes money with all the competition that takes place.

People want their technology cheap, so the price that is paid is low wage salespeople, and alternative means of keeping afloat. The alternative will be buying your computer from Target or Walmart(shudder).

Your right about the fact that CCity and other retailer pressure you into a warrenty and when things go wrong with in the first year they will look the other way and tell you to speak to the manufacture.

My experience at Apple has been competely diffrent. We do not work on commison and the only pressure we have is to provide the customer with the complete solution for there budget and need. We ask question to make sure we understand the customer need and we can suggest the right product for them. As for the warrenty (Apple Care as we call it) I feel that that it should be purchased. In most cases Apple Care is much cheaper then any other warrenty from other retailers (iMac AppleCare is only $169 for 3 years). An on top of that you get phone support (an american call center) and you can even choose to have in home service on some products.

Another big benift is the fact that 87% of all repairs are done in house and in my store are done with in 24-48 hours. Also for the 3 years of the plan you can come to any Apple retail store, mail it in or like i said before have in home service. Did I also mention that we cover all hardware and software made by Apple including OSX.

What dont we cover simple accidental damage. Beside that your good to go and you actually get to speak to someone face to face about the problem. For $169 i think thats pretty freaking amazing.

I see a lot of people beging to get the Apple Care after there 1 year standard warrenty is up so they dont have for shell out the $400 bucks its cost to repair there Mac.

For the record, I’m not making the assertion that nobody should buy the extended warranty. I’m just letting people know what sorts of tactics are used to sell them. Also, the Best Buy store dollars thing was well over ten years ago and I’m SURE they don’t do that any more, hence the “many, many years ago” part.

Finally, I worked full time at all three stores, two years apiece, the latest stint being at CompUSA as a tech that ended back in 2003. I know times they are a changing and there are new service tiers now that cover accidental spills and viruses, this is merely an article to help people pick up on SOME of the tricks that SOME of the more slippery salespeople use to sell extras and which questions to ask or techniques to use to avoid purchasing unnecessary services.